What changed for James McCann.
From 2025 to 2026, James McCann's Barrel% moved from 5.1% to 11.1%. Here's everything else the data sees that changed.
Something has changed for James McCann, now 36, between 2025 and 2026. We went through what the data can actually measure, including contact, plate approach, swing shape, and the results they produce, to separate the signal from the noise. The clearest gain: Barrel% moved from 5.1% to 11.1%, which now sits in the 98th percentile leaguewide. It hasn't been all one direction. BB% has slipped from 5.8% to 1.2%, but the trade has largely worked so far.
The Results
On the bottom-line production (what it all adds up to), it's a genuine mix. McCann has gained ground on wOBA (0.337→0.360), while slipping on xSLG (0.557→0.422), xwOBA (0.313→0.218), and OPS (0.740→0.685). The net picture is a real shift in profile, not a simple up-or-down.
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| xwOBA | 0.313 | 0.218 | ▼ -0.094 | 0th |
| wOBA | 0.337 | 0.360 | ▲ +0.023 | 58th |
| xSLG | 0.557 | 0.422 | ▼ -0.135 | 12th |
| OPS | 0.740 | 0.685 | ▼ -0.055 | 24th |
The biggest move is xSLG, down from 0.557 to 0.422 (-0.135).
Contact Quality
On the quality of contact (how hard and how flush he's hitting the ball), it's a genuine mix. McCann has gained ground on Barrel% (5.1%→11.1%), while slipping on Exit Velo (91.8 mph→88.7 mph), Hard-Hit% (52.2%→48.3%), and Sweet-Spot% (32.6%→31.7%). The net picture is a real shift in profile, not a simple up-or-down.
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exit Velo | 91.8 mph | 88.7 mph | ▼ -3.1 | 42th |
| Barrel% | 5.1% | 11.1% | ▲ +6.0 pts | 98th |
| Hard-Hit% | 52.2% | 48.3% | ▼ -3.8 pts | 83th |
| Sweet-Spot% | 32.6% | 31.7% | ▼ -0.9 pts | 14th |
The biggest move is Exit Velo, down from 91.8 mph to 88.7 mph (-3.1).
Plate Approach
On his approach at the plate (what he swings at and how often he misses), it's a genuine mix. McCann has gained ground on Whiff% (28.6%→27.9%), while slipping on Chase% (32.6%→46.6%), BB% (5.8%→1.2%), and K% (24.1%→24.7%). The net picture is a real shift in profile, not a simple up-or-down.
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase% | 32.6% | 46.6% | ▼ +14.1 pts | 0th |
| Whiff% | 28.6% | 27.9% | ▲ -0.7 pts | 20th |
| K% | 24.1% | 24.7% | ▼ +0.6 pts | 28th |
| BB% | 5.8% | 1.2% | ▼ -4.6 pts | 0th |
The biggest move is Chase%, up from 32.6% to 46.6% (+14.1 pts).
Swing & Batted-Ball Shape
On his swing and batted-ball shape (the mechanical fingerprint behind the changes above), it's a genuine mix. McCann has gained ground on Bat Speed (69.2 mph→70.5 mph), Launch Angle (7.7°→8.4°), and Oppo% (32.6%→36.7%), while slipping on Pull% (37.0%→31.7%), Ground-Ball% (48.9%→53.3%), and Swing Length (6.9 ft→6.9 ft). The net picture is a real shift in profile, not a simple up-or-down.
| Metric | 2025 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Angle | 7.7° | 8.4° | ▲ +0.7 | 12th |
| Pull% | 37.0% | 31.7% | ▼ -5.3 pts | 1th |
| Oppo% | 32.6% | 36.7% | ▲ +4.1 pts | 96th |
| Ground-Ball% | 48.9% | 53.3% | ▼ +4.4 pts | 4th |
| Bat Speed (2024+) | 69.2 mph | 70.5 mph | ▲ +1.3 | 59th |
| Swing Length (2024+) | 6.9 ft | 6.9 ft | ▼ +0.0 | 77th |
The biggest move is Bat Speed, up from 69.2 mph to 70.5 mph (+1.3).
The takeaway
Bottom line: between 2025 and 2026, the broad picture is a step back, and it's showing in the results. More of McCann's markers are sliding than improving. It's worth re-checking as the sample grows, but the direction is already readable in the numbers.
How to read this
- Sample sizes are modest (2025 137 PA, 2026 81 PA), so read the magnitude of these changes with some caution.
- This compares what the data can measure (contact, approach, swing and batted-ball shape). Stance, hand position, and leg-kick changes are not in the public data and are not claimed here.